In the aftermath of World War I, there arose a desire for improvement of social life combined with a sense of responsibility to those who had suffered from the war years and to those deprived members of society. The movement started by Paul Harris - Rotary - began to spread rapidly, particularly here in Great Britain.

Here, in Kidderminster, a group of well-known local people, mainly businessmen, were inspired by Charles Smith of the Birmingham Club in 1921 to start an interim Rotary Club under the chairmanship of J. E. Grosvenor, who became our first President and was strongly supported by T. Leonard Watkins, our first Secretary.

Some outstandinggmembers represented the thriving carpet industry - J. E. Grosvenor himself and R. S. Brinton. Another of the founders was J. H. Thursfield, a lawyer and also Town Clerk.

H. W. Cheshire was also involved. He owned a printer's and stationery shop in Vicar Street on the site now approximately occupied by Curry's. He eventually moved to a new factory on Coventry Street, where his business prospered for he was the chief printer for adverts and booklets for the many carpet manufacturers in the town.

Sladen Church of England School

The Rev. Canon Sladen, vicar of St.Marys and a Rotary Club Council member would visit poor families regularly with food parcels. A keen educationalist and strongly supported by councillor Harry Cheshire, he was a driving force behind the building of a "senior church School at Deepdale in Hurcott Road", chairing a fund-raising committee which ran a 4-day Bazaar in 1937 to raise £1,000 (about £40,000 today) towards the total cost £26,000, only 75% of which was "grant aided" from the Education Authority.

Harry Cheshire became President in 1926. He was a real gentleman, who carried Rotary ideals into his every day business and social life. He instilled these ideals also into his political career and became Councillor, Mayor and Alderman.

For many years he was Chairman of the Kidderminster Education Committee, earning the title of "Mr Education", so great were his interests, activities and generosities and appreciation of education in the welfare of the town. When a new secondary school was built in 1940 in Habberley, it was named after it founder - The Harry Cheshire Secondary Boys and Girls School..

Harry Cheshire enjoyed good health and participated actively in Rotary well into his eighties. It was a great pleasure for all for him to be present at our Jubilee Dinner Dance, held in the Town Hall in 1972. Unhappily after 51 years of service with Rotary, he died the same year as a result of a fall. His Past President's medal was presented to the Club and is displayed on the base of the bell.

Also outstanding was Sir George Eddy, OBE, a larger than life character for a small man, but one with a generous and Christian heart. He made many gifts to his local town: The Nurses' Home at Stanmore and the Old Pals "Shelter" in Brinton Park.

He was Chairman of King Charles Board of Governors and a great benefactor to local churches, donating the carillon to St. George's Church. But he helped people on a more personal basis too, visiting the hospital every morning and giving little presents to the patients.

He had a fund of little silver threepenny-bits which he presented to children and old people. On suitable occasions he would recite his favourite poem "ABOU BEN ADHEM" which reflected his humanitarian acts. It was his custom to present a box of toilet soaps from his works (B. Hepworth & Co. Ltd) to incoming Presidents. His second wife, Lady Freda Eddy continued to be involved with the affairs of the town, serving on many educational and charity committees.

It is interesting to reflect that our links go right back on a personal as well as a Rotary basis, to the foundation of our Club in 1921. The chain of association shows the strong growth of Rotary, its ideals and service, through the 21st Century and its importance in the life of Kidderminster.